Lawrenceville, IL to Cicero, IL is 261.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m via I 57 and IL 33, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Illinois, moving from the Midwest region of Lawrenceville to the Midwest region of Cicero. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that should be manageable for a single day. You'll be spending most of your time on major roads, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without too much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
130.9 miles from Lawrenceville, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 57
152 mi
2h 43m
IL 33
36.3 mi
53m
US 50
18.6 mi
25m
South Van Buren Street
11 mi
15m
Cicero Avenue
10.8 mi
17m
South Cicero Avenue
10.6 mi
17m
County Road 1100 East
6.7 mi
9m
Illinois Route 16
5.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 57
— 152 mi, about 2h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceville, IL and Cicero, IL.
1
Start on US 50 Business
0.7 mi·1 min·State Street
2
Continue on State Street
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 50 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·US 50 Business
4
Continue on US 50
19 mi·25 min·US 50
5
Turn right onto East Main Street
1.1 mi·2 min·East Main Street
6
Turn right onto North Lincoln Avenue
481 ft·18 sec·North Lincoln Avenue
7
Turn left onto East Butler Street
1.3 mi·3 min·East Butler Street
8
Turn right onto IL 130
1.3 mi·2 min·North West Street
9
Continue on IL 130
6.7 mi·9 min·County Road 1100 East
10
Continue on IL 130
11 mi·15 min·South Van Buren Street
11
Turn right onto IL 33; IL 130
36 mi·53 min·IL 33; IL 130
12
Turn left onto IL 16
2.5 mi·4 min·Lincoln Avenue
13
Continue on IL 16
5.3 mi·7 min·Illinois Route 16
14
Continue on IL 16
0.4 mi·38 sec·Charleston Avenue East
15
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I-57 North: Champaign
16
Merge onto I 57
152 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 57
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
522 ft·17 sec
Exit 342Toward Vollmer Road WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CH B66
0.4 mi·39 sec·Vollmer Road
20
Turn left onto IL 50
11 mi·17 min·Cicero Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on IL 50
11 mi·17 min·South Cicero Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn left onto West 31st Street
0.5 mi·58 sec·West 31st Street
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto South Laramie Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·South Laramie Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
South Laramie Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 28m estimated duration, starting in the morning from Lawrenceville will allow you to reach Cicero with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 152 miles on I 57, so consider fueling up before embarking on this segment. This route is well within a single day's drive, offering flexibility in your departure time and the number of stops you choose to make.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.9 miles from Lawrenceville, IL, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 58 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cicero, IL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lawrenceville, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lawrenceville, IL
This is one driving day of about 261.8 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Lawrenceville, IL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 57 for about 152 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.3 and 260.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
21.3 mi into trip|~30m in|East Butler Street
Turn left onto East Butler Street
Navigation decision point
5
86.5 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|I 57
Merge onto I 57
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
238.5 mi into trip|~4h 50m in
Take the exit toward Vollmer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road
9
238.8 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Vollmer Road West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 342
Toward Vollmer Road West
6
260.6 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|West 31st Street
Turn left onto West 31st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.93 one way
$81.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.94
$89.88
premium
$4.89
$50.38
$100.76
diesel
$5.61
$57.80
$115.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.5
0
$27.49
$12.57
Efficient EV
65.5
0
$22.91
$10.47
EV Truck/SUV
104.7
1
$36.65
$16.76
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Lawrenceville, IL
Late night
in Lawrenceville on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cicero, IL
Late night
in Cicero on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pullman National Historical Park
National Historical Park
In a growing Chicago neighborhood, diverse people and stories intertwined. All were seeking opportunity. Some succeeded. Others were limited—by race, gender, or economic status. Their stories came tog...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 252.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 57, IL 33, and US 50. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 152 miles on I 57, offering a consistent pace for a considerable portion of the trip. Expect a relatively direct and efficient journey, characteristic of a route that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly. While primarily highway, the inclusion of state routes like IL 33 and US 50 might offer brief changes in scenery or speed.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152 mi on I 57.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 57 and IL 33. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.3 miles in near East Butler Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 21.3 miles (East Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 86.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 238.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lawrenceville, IL to Cicero, IL, road signs begin pointing toward Vollmer Road West along the way.
Vollmer Road West
238.8 mi in|~4h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 261.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152 miles on I 57. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.3 miles (East Butler Street): Navigation decision point; at 86.5 miles (I 57): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 238.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pullman National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cicero, IL before the return drive.
